Unite for Change - A Message from the Obama Camp
A year ago this week, our grassroots supporters organized a nationwide canvass in more than 1,000 cities to introduce people to Barack Obama.
Since then, we've built a grassroots infrastructure in all 50 states -- not just for Barack, but for all Democratic candidates.
Now it's time to power up and extend that network in the interest of bringing radical change to the disfunctional politics of our time.
All across the country, Democrats, Independents, and even Republicans, tired of the politics of the past, are looking for real solutions to the challenges we face as a nation.
That's why we're launching a nationwide day of action on June 28th called "Unite for Change" -- and asking you to host a Unite for Change meeting in your neighborhood.
In all 50 states, supporters like you -- seasoned veterans and first-time volunteers alike -- will host house meetings to join together citizens who support Democratic values.
In the process you'll help build a united volunteer organization which will link neighborhoods across Ohio and the country to register new voters and galvanize support.
Hosting your own event is easy. All the necessary tools and resources will be provided to you.
Learn more and sign up to host a Unite for Change party on June 28th:
Yesterday, our deputy campaign manager, Steve Hildebrand, announced that this will be the first campaign in a generation to put staff in all 50 states.
It says a lot about our movement -- a movement born of ordinary people, people conversing in backyards, at barbershops and check-out counters, as they scanned headlines that made them feel like strangers in their own country. The course of government action, no longer dictated "by the people, for the people," rather seemed propelled by the lies of shadowy interests for reasons that remain in question. Obama for America has been a megaphone for the people; the people have spoken, and they want their government back.
Exhausting as the qualifying heats may have been, the real race is yet to come. We're heading into a battle against John McCain. The stakes couldn't be higher. The path to victory is clear--and for now it's as simple as talking to friends and neighbors.
From the beginning, this campaign has been about ordinary people empowering one another by uniting to enact change. You'll gather -- not just with Obama supporters, but with anyone who's tired of a politics stained by corruption, lies, and greed. Together, we'll lay the groundwork for a movement destined to change the world. Play a part in your community. Host a Unite for Change event on June 28th.
Learn more and sign up to host a party in your community:
Cuyahoga County Celebrates 200 Years
With a tremendous sense of pride, the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party prepares to join with residents in the celebration of our county's bicentennial.
Two centuries have passed since the Ohio General Assembly established Cuyahoga County in 1808, just five years after Ohio was admitted to the Union. Shortly after that, the City of Cleveland was named the county seat. But it would be some time before the county would rise to prominence as a commercial and industrial powerhouse.
The spark that ignited the region's economy came in the form of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Completed in 1832, the canal linked Lake Erie to the Ohio River, drastically increasing both the state and the county's ability to export goods. The canal thrived until the expansion of railroads made it virtually obsolete by 1860.
Just as canal traffic dropped off, and the region's economic future was in question, tragedy struck the nation. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the face of Cleveland and the county would change forever. Besides claiming the lives of more than a quarter of county residents who fought in the Union Army, the war dramatically increased the federal government's demand for supplies. This new demand revitalized the economy and started Cleveland “on the road to industrialization.”
The county enjoyed significant population growth at the turn of the century. Migrants from the east and immigrants from Europe flocked to Cleveland, hoping for their own piece of the American dream. The booming iron and steel industries provided jobs for thousands, and new buildings and businesses seemed to spring up by the day. But with the growth came new problems. The gap between the wealthy few and the impoverished many continued to grow, while overburdened city services struggled to keep up with the growing needs of citizens. It was at this time that the Progressive Era that swept the nation in the early 1900s left an indelible imprint on the region.
Embodying the Progressive movement in Cuyahoga County was U.S. Congressman Tom L. Johnson, who was elected mayor of Cleveland on the Democratic ticket in 1901. Johnson believed that “the greatest movement in the world” was “the struggle of the people against Privilege,” and his actions as mayor reflected that conviction. Johnson improved public health and safety by implementing and enforcing city-wide building codes, and waged a campaign to keep public transportation affordable. He also fought for the city's right to own and operate its own public utilities, which eventually led to the nation's largest municipal light plant, known today as Cleveland Public Power. In 1905, McClure's Magazine called Johnson “the best mayor of the best-governed city in the United States.”
The momentum of the Progressive movement began to slow with the onset of the Great Depression in 1929. Like the rest of the nation, the cities of Cuyahoga County experienced record unemployment. The region's economy would not recover until the renewed industrial production brought on by World War II turned things around. After the war, the suburbs of Cleveland – including Parma, Solon and others – experienced tremendous growth as returning veterans looked to settle down and start families. To say the least, Cuyahoga County boasts a long and rich history. Although we face our share of challenges today, they're nothing that the creativity and determination of our citizens cannot overcome. By drawing on our strengths and preserving our traditions, we look forward to another 200 years.
Source: Carol Poh Miller & Robert A. Wheeler. Cleveland: A Concise History. 1997
Celebrate Our Bicentennial at the
Cuyahoga County Fair this Summer
Celebrate our bicentennial in style at the Cuyahoga County Fair this August at the Berea Fairgrounds. A proud county tradition since 1893, the fair has something for everyone. From rides and attractions to great food and music, the fair provides a perfect opportunity to escape with family and friends and enjoy all that summer has to offer.
This year's fair will feature special celebrations of the county's bicentennial, and the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party will be there for all the action. The fair runs from August 6-8, and parking is free. For more information, visit
www.cuyfair.com.
Ohio Democratic Party Annual Dinner
Join Gov. Ted Strickland, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern, and other elected Democrats and friends at this year's State Dinner. Hosted by the Celeste Center at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, dinner starts at 5:00 pm on Saturday, June 21.
Ticket proceeds from this event will go a long way toward building a Democratic majority in the Ohio General Assembly and electing Democrats across the state. Individual tickets start at $150 per person. For more information, please visit
www.ohiodems.org/statedinner.
Updated List of 2008 Endorsed Democrats
Congratulations to all of our endorsed Democrats! In addition to putting a Democrat in the White House this year, we have the opportunity to support a number of Democratic candidates across the county. To see an updated list of Cuyahoga County's endorsed Democrats, please click
www.cuydem.com/endorsed_dems.php
